Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi and 36 other suspects that accused of stoning President Museveni’s car in Arua last year have been slapped with a new offence of trying to annoy President Museveni.
Following the August 13, 2018 chaos in Arua Municipality by-election in which the presidential convoy was reportedly pelted with stones, over 30 people including four MPs were arrested by security before being charged with treason.
On July 4, the charge sheet of the 37 accused was amended by State prosecutor Omia Patrick to include a new offence against the accused.
The new offence according to Omia who doubles as the Resident Senior State Attorney – Gulu has been stated as “Acts Intended to alarm, annoy or ridicule the President.”
Ridiculing or intending to ridicule a sitting president is contrary to section 24(c) of the Penal Code Act.
Yesterday, 27 of the 37 co-accused appeared before grade one Magistrate court in Gulu were the charge sheet was amended before the hearing.
Among those that were present included Bobi Wine aide, Eddie Mutwe and Arua Municipality legislator Kassiano Wadri.
Omia also told the court that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has exhibits that can be used to pin the accused and that they are ready to unveil them in court.
The exhibits, according to Omia include stones that were recovered from police, photographs of the President’s damaged vehicle among others.
He asked the court to convict all the accused stating that all the 37 have no defense.
In his preliminary ruling, however, Imran Kintu who was presiding over court committed all the accused to the High Court for trial.
All the 17 suspects that didn’t appear in court were summoned and they will be expected in the High Court on August 6th when the trial begins.
Last month, the court in Gulu accused former soldier, 79-year-old Omari Ciruson Risasi for pelting the President’s car with stones and amended the charge sheet to add him on the list of other 36 suspects who face treason charges. Omari was among the suspects who attended the course session.
